Why don spiders get caught in their own webs?
Some spiders have oil on their bodies. The oil is slippery, so the web don’t stick to it. Also, not ALL parts of the web is sticky. Since spiders build their own webs, they know which strands of silk are sticky and which ones are not. They know where to step, & where NOT to step. Yet their prey aren’t as familiar with the territory, so they’re not as lucky. It’s like bringing as stranger into your house for the first time — they won’t know where the bathroom is, until you TELL them where the bathroom is. A spider has complete control over its own domain… For this reason, spiders generally live in isolation. Notice you never see GROUPS of spiders, all hanging out together, in the same web. That’s because the other spiders aren’t INVITED. They are not welcomed, and if a spider wanders into another spider’s web, then it will get caught, just like any other prey.
A. Spiders have two special tricks that keep them from sticking. The first trick is knowing where to walk. Many spiders make sticky strands of silk that trap insects. But they make other strands that aren’t sticky. As they crawl around on their webs, they just avoid the sticky strands. The other trick is pretty “slick.” Spiders rub their feet over special glands around their mouths. These glands make an oily goo that oozes out onto the spiders’ feet. The slippery stuff helps them get unstuck if they make a mistake and step on a sticky strand.
“. Get Real!: Tarantulas Read Erin’s story about her unusual pets…she owns 17 tarantulas! Spiders Written by a 12 year old boy named Tyler who won a “Critters Winner” award for this report. Itsy Bitsy Spiders This web page in intended to be a resource to teachers and students in teaching and learning about the characteristics of spiders. Spiders Fun and Games Spiders Matching Game A Memory game using spider cards from a site in Germany! Chocolate Spiders A recipe that you just HAVE to try! Spiders Teacher Resources Spiders Home Page – Paso Partners The seven lessons in this unit will help children appreciate the place spiders have in the world and will lessen the fear of spiders caused by misunderstandings. They will begin activities such as building a spider habitat, constructing a web and reading about spiders to develop the theme.
